MANILA---Embattled yet still dominant.
A La Salle team facing forfeiture of previous wins still stretched its unbeaten run to eight games yesterday in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
The Lady Archers overwhelmed the Adamson Lady Falcons, 25-11, 25-23, 25-14, to stay on top at the start of their second-round campaign at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Save for a shaky second set, the Lady Archers had the game in control unmindful of possible sanctions on two players who violated league rules by competing in a commercial tournament.
“We’ll respect the [UAAP board’s] decision,” La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus said in Filipino. “For us, it’s business as usual. Instead of giving up, the incident made the girls stronger.”
La Salle also scored an emphatic victory at the start of the men’s football tournament as the Archers crushed Ateneo, 5-1, on their rival’s home field yesterday.
University of the Philippines stunned defending champion Far Eastern University, 2-1, while University of Santo Tomas and University of the East had a 1-1 draw.
The UAAP board is set to meet on Wednesday to discuss the penalty on La Salle reserves Carmela Garbin and Clarisse Yeung for their unauthorized participation at the Vikings Cup hosted by the World Citi Colleges.
The league prohibits players in all sports from competing in other tournaments for the duration of the season.
But officials said Sunday that La Salle gets to keep its perfect record pending the board’s decision.
The violation could result in forfeiture of four matches, the combined number of games setter Garbin and blocker Yeung played this season.
Michelle Gumabao led the Lady Archers with 14 points, including four aces and three blocks against the Lady Falcons.
“We’re looking to be undefeated but we’re never too sure,” said Gumabao. “We’re just going to work harder and train harder.”
Jacq Alarca had 12 points and Stephanie Mercado and Charleen Cruz added 10 apiece for the Lady Archers, who remained two games ahead of defending champion University of Santo Tomas.
Third-running Adamson slipped to 5-3.
Jasmine Payo, Phil. Daily Inquirer
